SHAMED mum Karen Matthews wept behind bars after hearing the brother who disowned her had died a hopeless alcoholic.

Yesterday Matthews – due for release next year – sent a bouquet of yellow daisies and purple irises to the funeral of Martin Savannah, 45.

Martin, who changed his surname to distance himself from Matthews, appeared on C5’s Trisha show to denounce her after she was convicted of kidnapping her own daughter Shannon and jailed for eight years.

It is believed the mum-of-seven was only told his of death at the end of last week, even though he passed away three weeks ago.

Matthews, 35, had considered going to the funeral but ended up simply sending flowers with a card attached reading: “To my brother. Always in my heart. With love Karen.”

A prison insider said: “Karen only got a phone call a few days ago and was really upset afterwards. She said she didn’t want to go to the funeral.

“She didn’t want to cause any upset and just turn up in handcuffs. She didn’t know how her family would react and was worried about going back to Dewsbury.”

Dad-of-five Martin died of liver disease and pneumonia at Dewsbury district hospital in West Yorkshire on March 24.

His cremation is believed to have been delayed because of problems over who would pay for the service.

His partner Lynn Burgess and parents June, 65, and Gordon Matthews were among 45 mourners at the cremation, which was followed by the release of four pigeons.

Karen, who has seven children by six different men, was jailed in 2009 for falsely imprisoning and kidnapping Shannon, then 11.

She and Michael Donovan – now 42 and her former boyfriend’s uncle, who was also jailed for eight years – planned to claim a £50,000 reward for her safe return.

Martin told Trisha he had been victimised because of his sister’s “despicable” crimes.